Doan Family Holiday Recipes

Family time is the best time, and it’s only better when delicious food and snacks are added! The Doans love family get togethers and there’s nothing more special than dusting off those old family recipe cards and sharing a taste of generations past. If you’re looking for some holiday inspiration this year, try out one our own family recipes and start your own traditions today!

Pumpkin Rolls

Perfect for the fall season, Pumpkin Rolls are a delicious treat that can be served anytime between Halloween and Thanksgiving (really any time of the year is fine, they’re just that good).

Beat 3 eggs for 5 minutes. Gradually add 1 cup sugar. Stir in ⅔ cup pumpkin and 1 tsp lemon juice. 

Sift together: 

¾ C Flour

2 Tsp Cinnamon

½ Tsp Nutmeg

1 Tsp Baking Powder

1 Tsp Ginger

½ Tsp Salt

Fold into pumpkin mixture. Spread into a greased and floured jelly roll pan. Top with 1 cup chopped walnuts and bake at 375 for 15 minutes only. Turn out onto a towel and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Roll together and cool. Then unroll spread with 1 cup powdered sugar and 6 oz of cream cheese, 4 tsp of butter or margarine, 1 tsp vanilla. Beat together and spread over the roll. Roll and chill.

Caramel Popcorn Balls

Just because Halloween is over doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this INCREDIBLY simple treat! If you’ve never had a popcorn ball before you absolutely have to try this recipe, they’re just so good!

1 Package Brown Sugar

1 Cup White Karo Syrup

1 Stick of Butter

1 Can Evaporated Milk

3 Gallons of Popped Corn

Combine brown sugar and syrup and cook stirring constantly until boiling. Add butter and stir until melted. Add evaporated milk and bring to a boil again over medium heat, cooking until it forms a softball (between 235 and 245 degrees Fahrenheit). Pour over popcorn to form balls and let cool.

Chocolate Pecan Pie

How do you make a pecan pie even better? Add a little chocolate of course! This fall classic with just a little twist is perfect for any family gathering you’ve got coming this year – or just make it for yourself, we won’t judge!

½ Cup Sugar

1 Cup light corn syrup

½ to ¼ cup butter – marg ok

4 eggs – beaten

1 tsp vanilla 

⅛ tsp salt

1 cup broken pecans

8-9” pie shell unbaked

Combine sugar, corn syrup, and butter in a pan – cook on low heat until butter melts. Remove from heat, pour VERY slowly into beaten eggs. Add vanilla, salt, and nuts. Add chocolate chips into the bottom of the pie shell. Pour mixture into pie shell, bake at 350 for 50 mins. Pecan Pie Recipe but sprinkle some chocolate chips on the crust before adding the rest of the filling.

Pepparkakor

Here’s one you may have never heard of! Pepparkakor is a traditional Swedish cookie that’s very similar to a gingerbread cookie and is a traditional favorite of the Doans. You won’t believe how delicious these thin, crispy cookies are!

¾ Cup Shortening

1 Cup Sugar

1 tbsp Molasses

1 Egg Beaten

2 Cups Flour

2 Tsp Baking Soda

1 Tsp each of Cloves, Cinnamon, and Ginger

Cream sugar and shortening together, add egg and molasses, blend well. Add the spices to the flour and sift, then add it to the creamed mixture. Let cool for 1 hour in the refrigerator covered with saran wrap. Then roll into balls the size of walnuts, put onto a cookie sheet, then with glass covered with saran wrap, roll each ball in sugar then flatten with the glass. Put nuts or raisins on them in the middle and bake at 350 for 5-10 minutes or until golden brown.

Pumpkin Joy

Who doesn’t love a little pumpkin? This super simple recipe is so easy, you might just have everything you need in your pantry today!

1 yellow cake mix – put in bowl (remove 1 cup)

Mix w 1 egg and 1 stick butter

Press in a greased and floured 9×13 pan 

Mix together 1 16oz can of pumpkin and 2 eggs 

Pour over

Take the reserved cup of cake mix –

1 tsp cinnamon

3 tbsp butter 

½ cup sugar 

Mix together and sprinkle over top 

Bake in 350 oven for 45 mins 

Top w a dollop of whipped cream

Handmade Paper Christmas Ornaments – Get Crafty!

You asked and we delivered! In our Handmade Holidays pictures, there are cute little ornaments that you were curious about. We heard your requests and we’re showing you how to make them! From Ali, our visual merchandiser, here are the instructions on how to make these cute paper ornaments.

Get your supplies ready, it’s time to make some ornaments!

Supplies Needed:

Old book, paper of your choice.

Hot glue gun

Scissors

Sizzix machine or something to create circles. The bottom of a cup could work as a template.

Twine or string of your choice

Step 1

Fold circle in half and then in half again.  This should give you a cone/triangle shape.  Do this eight times until you have eight individual triangles.

Eight finished triangles.

Step 2

Glue all of your triangles together.  The fold should face inward towards the center.

After gluing all of your triangles together you should end up with this.

Step 3

Glue remaining flaps of triangles together to give your ornament more shape and volume.

After gluing all of your flaps together, you should end up with your almost finished ornament.  It should look like this.

Step 4

Choose a string or ribbon of your choice to create a loop so you can hang your ornament.  Hot glue your string to the back of your ornament.

Finished!!!

And voila!  Just like that you have a unique and handmade ornament.

Make It Handmade – 6 Handmade Holiday Projects

Make this season a Handmade Holiday with Missouri Star Quilt Co.
Make this season a Handmade Holiday with Missouri Star Quilt Co.

No gift is more meaningful than a handmade creation from the heart. When we take the time to create for those near and dear to us, we sew little bits of love into the fabric with every stitch and create a gift that will last a lifetime. July is the perfect time to start stitching up your Handmade Holiday gifts!

If you’re needing a little inspiration for this holiday season (maybe you haven’t even started to think about gifts yet!), check out a few of our favorite Handmade Holiday projects and create something this year for those closest to you (or for yourself)!

Advent Calendar Kits

The Comfort and Joy Advent Calendar Kit by Osie Liebowitz for Timeless Treasures.
The Comfort and Joy Advent Calendar Kit by Osie Liebowitz for Timeless Treasures.

Kits are a quilter’s best gift-giving friend! They not only come together quickly and easily, but they look just fantastic when complete (Plus you get everything you need in one handy kit). Make it Classic this holiday season with a traditional holiday advent calendar to countdown the days until Christmas begins – this gift will be at the center of your holiday decorations throughout the entire month of December.

Whether you enjoy the traditional holiday elements of the Comfort and Joy Advent Calendar Kit or the classic Dr. Seuss Grinchmas Tree Countdown Kit, this project is not only something you can share as a gift, but as a craft activity with beginning makers. These advent kits are a great place to give the gift of sewing to the little ones in your life.

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Inspire Yourself to Make It Classic >

Winter Star Quilt

The Winter Star Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co.
The Winter Star Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co.

Imagine giving the gift of warmth and comfort – it’s all possible with the Winter Star quilt! Nothing is better than a handmade quilt, so give a gift that will quite literally wrap your loved ones in warmth this Handmade Holiday by stitching up this cozy creation that captures the beautiful ambiance of the winter season.

Make it Cozy by selecting a layer cake that best captures the holiday spirit such as Farmhouse Christmas 10″ Stackers by Echo Park for Riley Blake. These red, green, white and black 10″ squares of poinsettias, snowflakes, pine trees and more will have you dreaming of a cozy farmhouse Christmas!

Watch the Free Quilt Tutorial >

Inspire Yourself to Make it Cozy >

Casserole Caddy

The Casserole Carrier from Missouri Star Quilt Co.
The Casserole Carrier from Missouri Star Quilt Co.

Whether you’re arriving to your company’s holiday party or dinner with your family, deliver your hot dish with a flair of elegance with a handmade Casserole Caddy. This easy to create and even easier to use carrier not only helps insulate your casserole and keeps it warm, but also adds a sense of wonder and holiday spirit to wherever it goes!

Make it Elegant with enchanting fabrics featuring traditional red and green with touches of gold as well as wintry white and blue with silver accents. We suggest picking up a selection of yardage from the Holiday Flourish collection by Studio RK for Robert Kaufman – these festive fabrics will add a touch of beauty and elegance to your project!

Watch the Free Tutorial >

Inspire Yourself to Make it Elegant >

Quilt As You Go Holiday Hexis Advent Calendar

The Quilt As You Go Holiday Hexis Advent Calendar from BLOCK Volume 7 Issue 4.
The Quilt As You Go Holiday Hexis Advent Calendar from BLOCK Volume 7 Issue 4.

We just love Quilt As You Go projects! These fun and festive holiday hexis come together in a flash no matter where you’re making – seriously, these are PERFECT travel projects. Take your hexis and add a little background fabric and a pocket and you’re on your way to having a beautiful piece of holiday decor that will deck your halls with fun.

Make it Magical with a selection of wintry fabrics in cool blue and white tones that add to the magic of this project. Select your charm packs with magic in mind or consider cutting your own 5″ squares from a Fat Quarter Bundle such as Nose to Nose Fat Quarter Crystals by Susan Winget for Wilmington Prints. You’ll find happy snowmen, colorful Christmas lights, lovely plaid prints and woodland animals in this adorable collection!

Purchase the Pattern >

Inspire Yourself to Make it Magical >

Fabric Ornament Kit

The Warm Hands Ornaments Kit by Rachel Pellman for Rachel's of Greenfield.
The Warm Hands Ornaments Kit by Rachel Pellman for Rachel’s of Greenfield.

Why settle for the same old Christmas ornaments this year when you can add a modern maker’s flair to your holiday tree with an easy Fabric Ornaments Kit? Not only will your tree stand out as a unique and creative addition to your Handmade Holiday, but this adorable applique ornaments will become a keepsake for years to come!

Make it Modern by picking up a complete project kit such as The Warm Hands Ornaments Kit or the Merry Mugs Ornament Kit. Whatever your preference, these cute little ornaments are SEW simple to create that you can safely share this project with anyone – or stitch up a few to share amongst your friends and add a bit of homemade to their holidays.

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Inspire Yourself to Make it Modern >

English Paper Piecing Made Modern Stickers (Pot Holder)

The English Paper Piecing Made Modern Stickers Pot Holder from Missouri Star Quilt Co.
The English Paper Piecing Made Modern Stickers Pot Holder from Missouri Star Quilt Co.

Baking and the holidays go hand in hand – nothing is better than the sweet smell of warm baked goods lingering through your holiday home. If you’re looking to try your hand at English Paper Piecing then this project is the one for you! This simple pot holder will not only give you an introduction to the art of English Paper Piecing, but create an adorable kitchen accessory to better bake your holiday goodies.

Make it Sweet with a handpicked selection of delectable fabrics featuring all your favorite Christmas treats! First and foremost, you’ll need some EPP Made Modern Stickers and a charm pack such as the Merry and Bright Charm Pack by Me & My Sister Designs for Moda Fabrics. This collection features Christmassy colors, jolly snowmen and delicious candy canes that will leave your mouth watering!

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Inspire Yourself to Make it Sweet >

Handmade Holiday | Easy Gift Ideas

Nothing says holidays like handmade. Instead of spending all of your time this year trying to figure out what to buy for that special someone in your life, harness all of that creative energy into a unique crafty gift! Handcrafted gifts come from the heart, each stitch placed carefully with love.

Remember that when it comes to handmade gifts, Jenny always says “finished is better than perfect.” Wrap up any fears you have about creating a homemade gift and show off your craftsmanship with an easy gift idea that will be adored this holiday season! Get your holiday inspiration started by checking out some of these easy gift ideas below, or head over to our Handmade Holidays homepage for all of our great holiday fabric lines, ideas and project

Fabric Checkerboard

Give Love with the Fabric Checkerboard from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

It’s never too early to share your love of quilting with the children in your life. Playing a game of checkers on top of a festive Fabric Checkerboard is not only fun, it’s a fantastic holiday memory just waiting to be created. Add in a few Christmas decorations as checker pieces and you’ll be celebrating the holidays in no time!

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Browse Christmas Yardage >

Quilted Christmas Stocking

Give Love with a Quilted Christmas Stocking from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

Hang up this cute stocking with care! Whether or not you have a chimney, a Quilted Christmas Stocking is the perfect gift this year. Fill this fabulous piece of home decor with a few notions, some thread, and a charm pack and you’ll be the sewing Santa this holiday season! If you’re gift giving for someone who doesn’t sew, this versatile project will deliver any gift in style!

Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial >

Browse Christmas Yardage >

Blipper

Give Love with the Blipper from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

Home is where we are most comfortable, where we can relax and unwind from the day and find our own peace on earth. Give the gift of comfort while home for the holidays with the Blipper! A Blipper is a quilt with a pocket for your feet—part-blanket, part-slipper, entirely adorable and cozy! For a little added Christmas cheer, select a fuzzy cuddle fabric or some Christmas themed yardage and make this gift extra special!

Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial >

Download the Free Pattern >

Mug Rug

Give Love with a Mug Rug from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

Keep your Christmas cocoa cozy with a nice new mug rug! This simple to make, great stash-busting project is the perfect stocking stuffer for office parties, Secret Santa, or White Elephant gift exchanges! Even if you don’t have extra scrap fabric on hand, pick up your favorite pack of 5” squares and get stitching!

Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial >

Get a Missouri Star Wacky Web Template >

Home For Christmas Pillows

Give Love with the Home for Christmas Pillow Pattern from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

Simple and versatile, the Home for Christmas Pillows pattern comes together with ease by using your favorite 10” squares of precut fabric to create a terrific piece of holiday home decor! Imagine the excitement of unwrapping one of these fabulous Christmas pillows and a newly-made quilt, it’s everything you need to enjoy a cozy holiday at home!

Pick up the Home for Christmas Pillows Pattern >

Browse 10″ Squares of Precut Fabric >

Memory Quilt

Give Love with the Memory Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

From ties to old t-shirts, found fabric is a fabulous addition to a homemade gift! This quilt will help keep the memories of the past alive and can be an incredibly sentimental present that is perfect for giving the gift of love for the holidays. There’s no limit to your creativity with this project as every family is different, but this gift will certainly be a treasured memory for years to come.

Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial >

Get the Sewing Supplies >

Reusable Gift Bag

Give Love with a Reusable Gift Bag from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

Sometimes the wrapping is half the fun, but many of us could do without! Fill this Reusable Gift Bag with any holiday creation this year and you’ve got a wonderful 2-in-1 gift! This reusable gift bag is a quick and easy way to add your creative flair to a store bought gift while giving the gift of a fabulous bag that can be used for years to come.

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Download the Free Printable Pattern >

Vinyl Zipper Pouch

Give Love with a Vinyl Zipper Pouch from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

Give the gift of quilting with this handy homemade vinyl zipper pouch! Fill this wonderful project with a pattern and a fat quarter for an incredible present for the quilter in your life. This bag comes together in a flash with a Zippity-Do Done! zipper that’s so easy to place we promise you can do it!

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Get the Zippity-Do Done! Zipper >

When we make with our hands, we give with our hearts. Explore what it means to create a Handmade Holiday and discover all you need to feel inspired this holiday season!


Watch this Fast & Fabulous Projects for Easy Presents playlist for more fun ideas!


Tell us, what handmade gifts are you giving this holiday season?

Have Yourself a Crafty Christmas – 6 Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas

Christmas from the Main Shop of the Missouri Star Quilt Co. in Hamilton Missouri.
Christmas time at Missouri Star Quilt Co. Main Shop in Hamilton, Missouri.

Ready or not – Christmas is coming! The holidays are such a special time for crafters because it lets us share our creative gifts with friends, family and those in need. There is no better time of year to warm the hearts of your near and dear with a homemade gift (that just happens to show off your crafty abilities).

Shorter days and holiday activities can make it feel like there isn’t time to make handmade gifts (it’s already December!). While tackling a brand new quilt may be daunting, there are many festive projects that can be created quickly and bring cheer to those who receive them. And in a year like 2020, when social distancing means breaking time-honored traditions for the safety of our friends and loved ones, there is no better gift than something made from the heart and by your own hands.

Christmas Stocking

Quilted Christmas Stockings from the Missouri Star Quilt Co.
Create an awe-inspiring mantle display by gifting a Christmas Stocking that can be used for years to come!

What is more classic than a Christmas Stocking hung by the chimney with care? This holiday gift has an extra bonus – it’s already gift wrapped! Stitch up a quick and easy Quilted Christmas Stocking using 2.5 inch strips of precut fabric, and then fill them with all kinds of handy quilting notions, Missouri Star Gift Cards and sewing thread for a merry gift to the maker in your life! Even if sewing isn’t your recipient’s passion, that beautiful, handmade holiday stocking will become a part of their traditions every year.

For this quick and easy project, pick a festive fabric (we like Winter’s Grandeur 8 Holiday Metallic Roll Up by Liza Bea Studio for Robert Kaufman). These red, green and gold 2.5″ strips of quilting fabric sparkle with poinsettias, snowflakes, cardinals and plaid, adding charm to each square of your stocking. Cuff the top in a lovely plaid for a magical winter wonder.

Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial >

Shop Precut Fabric Here >

One Yard Apron

The One Yard Apron from the Missouri Star Quilt Co.
Misty relaxes in the kitchen in a cute red-checkered One Yard Apron.

A lot of the Christmas season takes place in the kitchen with holiday baking, festive family dinners and plenty of hot cocoa! The incredibly simple One Yard Apron is the perfect gift for the hostess in your life. It’s such a fast, easy project, you can use it to teach the kiddos in your life the joy of handmade gifts – with only one yard of your favorite fabric!

If you want to follow Misty’s lead, use Cozy Critters – Buffalo Check Red Yardage by M.J. Merrill for Wilmington Prints. This black and red plaid check fabric ties in well for the holidays, but is perfect for any home chef year round! If your stash needs to be reduced, just use ANY yard of fabric you have on hand!

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Shop Fabric by the Yard Here >

Mug Rug

Create a Mug Rug with the Missouri Star Quilt Co.
Basics can be beautiful, like this easy holiday Mug Rug.

This little Mug Rug is such an easy project, you’ll probably make a few for yourself along the way! Using a pack of 5″ squares of precut fabric, these cute table-savers keep your Christmas cocoa cozy. As a holiday bonus – this fast little gift is perfect for beginners!

When selecting your fabric, it’s not just about snowmen and snowflakes. Keep in mind the mug rug will serve as a protective layer for a hot drink, and also might soak up spilled drinks after enthusiastic cookie dunking! Avoid light fabrics that stain and try a thick flannel fabric such as a Woolies Flannel Holiday Warmth Charm Pack by Bonnie Sullivan for Maywood Studio. If you’re feeling ambitious, swap out the charm pack for a Layer Cake (10″ square of precut fabric) and create gorgeous table protectors for your holiday feast!

Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial >

Shop Precut Fabric Here >

Tree Skirt

Create a Christmas Tree Skirt with the Missouri Star Quilt Co.
Light up their Christmas with a quilted tree skirt they can use every year.

More so than all the other decorations, the Christmas tree is always the focal point of the holiday season – that’s where the presents go! Gifts get the perfect showcase when arranged on a quilted fabric Tree Skirt. This little quilt for your tree comes together simply with 5″ squares of precut quilting fabric.

The fabric is what makes this project shine! Of course you can design the exact skirt to suit your holiday style if you want to whip this up for yourself. If you’re making it for someone else, consider solids or batiks so it’s more likely to match their decorations. Season’s Splendor Batiks Stamps by Kathy Engle for Island Batik is a perfect combination of festive Christmas colors and classic motifs.

Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial >

Shop Precut Fabric Here >

Easy Zipper Pouch

The Easy Zipper Pouch from Missouri Star Quilt Co.
With festive new MSQC Fancy Zips, the Easy Zipper Pouch from Missouri Star Live is useful gift for anyone!

Give the gift of functionality this Christmas with the Easy Zipper Pouch, featuring the all new Missouri Star Fancy Zips! In this Missouri Star LIVE, Jenny and Misty teach us how to stitch up this extremely useful project that, with a little festive fabric from your stash, makes a thoughtful last minute gift idea. There are so many uses for this handy little bag. Add some vinyl to the interior for a cosmetics bag or add some batting for a notion holder!

You’ll need cut yardage no smaller than 14″ in length (the necessary length to add a Missouri Star Fancy Zip). For a festive holiday bag, select a beautiful cut of Christmas fabric by the yard. If you need a little extra help with this project, you can purchase a digital download of the Easy Zipper Pouch pattern so that you can start stitching immediately!

Watch the LIVE Replay >

Shop Fabric by the Yard Here>

Missouri Star Gift Card

The Missouri Star Gift Card and holiday gift card holder.
MSQC gift cards in festive gift card holders offer holiday cheer to your favorite maker!

If it’s the night before Christmas and you’re still having doubts, keep it simple and crafty and gift card it out! If there’s a quilter on your list who has it all, give them the gift of choice with a Missouri Star gift card! Available in both physical gift cards (definitely consider a holiday gift card holder for big MSQC fans!) and digital gift cards (that can be emailed same day), this last minute gift idea will save Christmas when your crafting time has run out.

Shop Missouri Star Gift Cards Here >